Hat-pin guard.



W; N. HUTOHISON & :r. mnmzw.

HAT PIN GUARD.

APPLICATION TILED APR. 1, 1910.

Patented N0v.15,1910.

WW m i NJ UNITED STATES PATENT orsioa.

NEPEAU rru'rcmsorr AND JAMES ARGH'IBA-LDYANDREW,or-vrcronm,

rarrrsn COLUMBIA. CANADA. 1

HAT-PIN GUARD.

' Specification of Letters 1Patent. Patented Nov, 15, 1910,

Application filed April 1, 1910. Serial No. 552,928.

HU'roHIsoN and J AMES- ARCHIBALD ANDREW,

citizens of the Dominion of Canada, residing at Victoria, in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, have invented a new and useful Hat-Pin Guard, of which the following is a specification.

This inventionrelates to a guard orprotector for the point of a ladys ha-tpin, which at the same time wilLprevent the accidental removal of the pin from the'hat, and my object has been to provide such a guard having a securing means that can be readily placed upon the .pin, that will resist accidental or even forcible removal, and that can be'easily removed when required and that is withal susceptible of ornamental treatment suitable to the device. I r l The invention is particularly described in the following specification, reference being made to the drawings by which it is accompanied, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the clutching and releasing device to an enlarged scale, Fig. 2, a simllar view showing the external casing thereon, Fig. 3, a cross section on the line A A in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 shows an enlarged section on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

The invention comprises two main parts the securing and releasing device, and an external, casing inclosing the mechanism and roviding an entering flare or funnel t-o acilitate entrance of the pin into the securing means. 4 The clutching device comprises a small tube 2 the internal dimension of which is adapted to loosely fit upon the point of a hatpin 3. One end of this tube 2 is closed by the end of a light open frame 4 secured to it, which frame passes down each side to' a short distance from the other end of the tube where it is also secured. Toward the closed end of the tube 2 are three small apertures 5, the size of which will permit small steel balls 6 placed in them to project within the inner dimension of the tube but will not permit the balls to pass through.

These apertures .5 should be slightly elongated lengthwise ofthe tube. The balls are retained 1n position by a small internally conical sleeve 7 slidable on the tube 2, the smaller dimension of the cone being toward the open end ofthe tube and such as will NEPEAU within the tube, while the larger dimension of the cone will permit the balls to fall back clear of the inner dimension of the tube while it will not allow them to fall out of their apertures. This sleeve 7 is held toward the closed end of the tube and with its smaller end in engagement with the balls, by'a spring 8 between the smaller end of the sleeve and the adjacent end of the open frame 4 where it is secured on the tube. This constitutes the clutch on securing means, for if a pin is inserted in the tube the balls will be pushed back, and the bearing ,on the. incline of. the cone 'Wlll move it against the resistance of the spring 8 br ngingthe larger dimension of the cone opposite to the balls 6. This movement is assist;-

ed by the direction in which the balls will roll as the pin is inserted.

If an attempt is'made to withdraw the pin the balls will roll slightly toward the sma ler dimension of the cone and will be forced inward on the pin 3 within the tube 2, and will effectually secure the pin therein, as the stronger the pull on the pinthe tighter will the balls be pressed inward on it.

To release the ball clutch from engagement with the pin the sleeve 7 must be pressed against the resistance of the spring 8 to bring the larger dimension of the cone opposite to the balls. This is effected by a push button 10 connected-to the larger end of the conical sleeve by members 11 slidable through apertures in the end of the open.

frame 4. I

The mechanism of the clutching device is -inclosed to protect it from dust and to provide a basis for ornamentation, by an elongated ovoid casing 12. This casing 12 is passed over that portion of the open end of the tube which projects beyond the open 'frame 4, and the larger end of the casing is provided with'an aperture through which the push button 10 is allowed to project.

The casing is secured in position by a flared mouthpiece 13 threaded upon the projecting end of the tube 2 and designed to facilitate entrance upon the point of a hatpin.

The casing 12 is susceptible of ornamentation which maybe varied according to the grade or quality of the article or the material from which it is made.

To the mouthpiece 13 of the guard is conhold the balls tightly inthe apertures and therefore with their inner, s1des pro ected safety pin 15 by neeted a light chain l t .having a small which the device may be secured to the hat.

Having now particularly described our inventionfand the manner of its use, we hereby declare that what .we claim as new and desire to'be',pr0teeted in by Letters Patent, is: 1. As a hatpin guard, the combination with a cone'operated ball clutch, a casing inclosthe smaller end of .which cone' istoward the end of the tube through which the .pin is inserted, an open frame secured'to and closing oneend of the tube and extending on each side outside of the cone toward the open end of the tube to which it is secured, a spring I between the smaller end of the cone and the adjacent end of the open frame, a push but-,

ton beyond the closed end of the tube hav} ing members slidable through the adjacent end of the open frame and secured to the 1 larger end of the cone, a casing inclosing the mechanism of the tube said casing having at one end an aperture through which the push button projects and at the other end a flared inlet to the tube, and means for removably securing the guard. to a hat or other convenient part of the attire.

! 3. As a hat pin guard, the combination 1 with a tube loosely fitting on the point of the pin, a hollow cone slidable on said tube, balls in said hollow cone, said tube having slots through which said balls project'to grip a pin, frame supported bysaid tube and embracing said cone,'said frame having slots, bars projecting through said slots and secured to said cone, a push button carried by said bars in virtue of which said cone may be moved along said tube in one direction, a spring on said tube for inoving said balls to clutch a pin when inserted in said tube. 4 In testimony whereof we have signed 011 names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WM. NEPEAU HUTCHISON. 7 JAMES ARCHIBALD ANDREW. Witnesses:

F. G. Riniums, JAMES TowNsam eone'in an opposite direction to cause the 

